Relationship of obesity and physical fitness to cardiopulmonary and metabolic function in healthy older men
Article Abstract:
Aspects of physiological functioning, such as metabolism and cardiovascular performance, seem to decline with aging. It is thought that this is due to a "biologic aging process." The process varies from individual to individual, however, and it would be useful to know why. One factor is probably that individuals differ in the rate at which they age. But the roles of other factors, namely secondary factors that often accompany aging such as physical inactivity and obesity, are not as clearly understood. To provide insight into the potential effects of lifestyle on functional capacity in aging, a study was carried out in which 132 healthy but obese men, aged 45 to 79 years old, were subjected to a series of fitness tests. Their maximal aerobic capacity was measured on a treadmill, their body composition (percent of body weight that is fat) was determined, pulmonary function (lung capacity, efficiency of use of oxygen) was tested, and blood samples were taken while subjects were on a controlled diet. Data were analyzed for two groups of subjects: those aged 45 years to 59 years, and those aged 60 years to 79 years. Obese men with greater pulmonary function had a lower percentage of body fat than obese men who performed more poorly on pulmonary function tests, and their waist to hip ratio (WHR) was lower as well, meaning that there was less fat on the upper body. Subjects with high WHR, which meant that they had a disproportionately large upper body fat distribution, had higher blood pressure than others and higher blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (fats), and glucose. Researchers found that 32 percent of the variation in pulmonary function could be accounted for by age alone. It appears, therefore, that age affects the cardiopulmonary system (heart and lungs) and the body's metabolic processes, but physical inactivity, obesity, and abdominal (or upper) body fat made significant contributions to the poorer performance of these systems as well. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Hypocholesterolemia as a predictor of death: a prospective study of 224 nursing home residents
Article Abstract:
Hypocholesterolemia, or low levels of cholesterol in the blood, has been linked to risk of death in women over 60 years of age living in nursing homes. Hypocholesterolemia is also associated with increased risk for stroke in the aged. Low cholesterol in hospitalized patients of any age is associated with a poor prognosis when the patients have cancer, heart disease, or liver disease. The mechanisms by which these reduced levels of cholesterol occur are not yet known, but hypocholesterolemia may reflect malnutrition and inflammatory processes. To test the hypothesis that hypocholesterolemia represents a risk factor for death, 221 residents of a nursing home were studied; laboratory tests that included measurement of cholesterol levels were performed. Within six months, 14 men and 27 women had died. Low cholesterol level was found to be a significant risk factor for death: there was a 'U'-shaped curve such that very low levels of cholesterol and very high levels were associated with greater mortality than moderate levels. Low levels were defined as less than 3.4 millimoles per liter (mmol/l) of serum cholesterol, and high levels were defined as greater than 5.0 mmol/l of serum cholesterol. It appeared that the association between hypocholesterolemia and risk of death was due to presence of malnutrition and infection in patients with hypocholesterolemia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Failure to thrive in old age: follow-up on a workshop
Article Abstract:
Little has been added to what doctors know to prevent failure to thrive (FTT) syndrome since the National Institute on Aging and the Arizona Center on Aging conducted a workshop on the subject in Sept. 1993. The condition is associated with classical nutritional imbalances including marasmus and hypoalbuminemic, inflammation-associated malnutrition. It is also associated with immune activation, physiologic stress response, hormonal changes and chronic-acute phase response. It is not known if FTT is due to starvation, an undiagnosed disease that needs to be treated or factors related to aging.
Publication Name: The Journals of Gerontology, Series A
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 1079-5006
Year: 1997
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- Abstracts: Health and social antecedents of relocation in rural elderly persons. Cohort analysis of retirement preparation, 1974-1981
- Abstracts: Relationships between self-reported physical and mental health and intelligence performance across adulthood. Social networks, health, and emotional well-being among the oldest old in London
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- Abstracts: Two studies of pacing in the nursing home. Pain and depression in the nursing home: corroborating results. The role of time orientation in life satisfaction across the life span